"Hanging on"

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"Hanging On"

5 x 7 in

Oil on Canvas Panel

This is the third installment of these fun habanero peppers and an asian vase, with the last painting I had fun with its whimsical composition.  This painting is no different, I thoroughly enjoyed creating a balancing act and also a story within the composition.  One thing is to paint something and try to render it to its highest degree, the other is to actually tell a story and connect with the viewer.  I wanna start creating more paintings that do that, which is why I created these little guys and try to say something.  Its always fun experimenting and seeing what works and what doesn't.

I started with the usual approach by using a bit of raw umber on the brush and using no mediums.  When the drawing is complete I started on the background, this will let me create softer or crispier edges, it also sets the value tone for the whole painting.

Then I started on the vase just concentrating on the big form modeling and stating the general colors.  I also do the same for the wooden base just concentrating on general colors and the fall of light.

Once those are stated I start on the darker values and its specific forms with the vase, I work on the design and subtle value shifts relating to the darker values.  Then I do the same with the lighter values.

Once the vase is taken to completion I start on the wooden base and just concentrate on the darker values and its specific forms.  I do the same with the lighter values and take it to a finish.

Then I start on the habanero peppers by stating the bigger forms first, Im just concentrating on the general colors and how light wraps around the form.  At this stage I'm not worried about details, details are not the answer in order to get a successful painting.  You have to understand how light wraps around a form and its edges, details come after when you've got the bigger information stated.  Then I stated the darker values and its specific forms, since the base is already stated its easier to render the smaller forms and blend them to their right state. 

I finished the painting by stating the lighter values and shaping them to their specific forms.  By playing over and over with painting in this manner you get to understand how easy it can be to render a complicated subject no matter what it is, of course some can be more difficult than other.  The point is if you understand how to see shapes and model them to their specific forms by understanding light then your ahead of the game.  Remember details are not the answer its understanding form and how light effects it.  Thanks for stopping by and viewing, I hope you enjoyed! 

"Vase & Peppers"

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"Vase & Peppers"

6 x 6 in

Oil on Canvas Panel

This painting is another version of the first peppers & vase, I wanted to have more of a whimsical feel to the painting.  The composition definitely gives it that with the traditional triangle approach, having a good flow between the objects through composition can strengthen a painting.  I also liked playing with the colors and their subtle values.

I started with the usual dry brush approach using no mediums and just a bit of raw umber on the brush.  After the drawing is complete I stated the background first to get more of the overall value feel for the painting.  

After the background is complete I stated the vase first concentrating on big form modeling, this stage is the most important for me.  Its crucial to get this stage right in order for the rest of the form to work, making the light wrap around the form and believable is important to state first.  I spend the most time at this stage getting it right and turning the form, I keep the paints fairly thin, I can build up on it once I get more of the smaller forms stated.  After the big form modeling is complete I start on the darker values and stating their specific forms.  

I do the same with the lighter forms and take them to a finish.  As you can see stating the smaller forms in the darker and lighter values goes much quicker once the big form modeling is working correctly.  I also start to state the top cover of the vase and working on its big form modeling stage, once thats complete I state the darker values and its specific forms.

Then I state the lighter values and its specific forms.  Once the top is taken to a finish I then start on the wooden base and state its local colors, just stating the basic colors and how light affects it.  I'm not worried about details at this stage just wanna get a general statement of how the light is going across the form.  Then I state the lighter values and its specific forms.

Once the wooden base is completed I start on the first habanero pepper, again stating big form modeling first.  Stating the local colors and making the form turn, not worried about details at this stage just a general statement.  Then I add the darker values and its specific forms.

I do the same with the lighter values and take the first pepper to a finish.  I repeat the same process with the second habanero pepper.

The first pic shows after big form modeling stage I started to state the darker values and its specific forms.  Then I state the lighter values and its specific forms, after doing this the painting is complete.  I hope you enjoyed this one as much as I did, if you guys have any questions just email me or leave a comment.  Thanks for stopping by and viewing!

"Peppers & Vase"

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"Peppers & Vase"

5 x 7 in

Oil on Canvas Panel

I've been wanting to paint this small little vase for such a long time, a friend of mine lend me it to paint and finally was able to.  These strong colors contrast each other so well, the cadmium oranges can be overpowering at times.  This vase is asian themed, the intricate designs which resemble a floral pattern was so much fun to paint.  As mentioned before the cadmium oranges can be overpowering, painting the peppers and keeping subtle value shifts within the oranges was a fun challenge overall.  The composition was also another neat factor to do, I wanted to keep it simple and yet fun.

Just a reminder I'll be giving a portrait painting demo at Blick Art Materials store in Edina, MN. on Wednesday the 27th of April from 1-4pm.  If your around the area stop on by! Here's the link to find out more info.

I started with usual dry brush approach for the drawing stage, just a bit of raw umber on the brush and no mediums.  When the drawing is complete I start on the first pepper just applying the local colors, at this stage I am only applying the middle values not stating any extreme darks or lights.  

Then I apply the darker values and take them to a finish, I do the same when I apply the lighter values too.  Having that base of local colors stated first or big form modeling lets me work out how the light is going to be falling across the form.  When I add the darker and lighter values after or the smaller forms it fits just right with the overall value pattern.

I repeat the same process with the second pepper, first stating the local colors.  When stating the local colors or the bigger form modeling I'm not concerned about details that will come after, I just want the form to turn with the general colors.  I'm also keeping the paints fairly thin at this stage, I like to go thicker when adding the smaller forms.  When the bigger form modeling is complete I state the darker values and its specific forms, I try to take it to a close finish and start with the lighter forms.

I then state the lighter values and state its specific forms, I also take this section to a finish.  When finished with the peppers I then add the local colors to the base and background.  I think filling all this information at this stage helps bring the overall values closer to a finish.  

Then I start on the vase and work on bigger form modeling while adding the local colors.  As you can see this stage I'm only worries about turning the form, making sure its believable on how the light is wrapping around the form.  Then I start on the top part of the vase and start to add darker values and its specific forms, I make sure these forms are working with the overall values. 

Then I add lighter values and its specific forms, I do the same as I did with the darker forms.  I then start on the body of the vase and repeat the same process.  After finishing the vase I go back to the wooden base and start to add the darker values and its specific forms.  

Then I add the lighter value forms and take the painting to a finish.  I hope your able to see that my process is fairly simple and straight forward, I like to concentrate on the shape and making it turn with the lights.  Details are not the answer to make a successful painting, it's the understanding of light and how it effects the form.  Thank you for stopping by and viewing, I hope you enjoyed this one!